1977 Liberty Bowl

Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 19, 1977--Quarterback Randy Garcia came off the bench in the fourth quarter to throw two touchdown passes and rallied Nebraska from a 17-7 fourth-quarter deficit to a 21-17 win over North Carolina in the 19th annual Liberty Bowl.

Garcia, who replaced starter Tom Sorley, first hit wingback Curtis Craig for a sensational diving catch and a 10-yard touchdown with 10:51 left to cut the Husker deficit to 17-14. Garcia then threw a 34-yard scoring pass to Tim Smith with 3:16 left in the game to cap a rally that ended UNC's upset hopes.

The Tar Heels drew first blood early in the second quarter on a 12-yard scoring pass from Matt Kupec to tight end Brooks Williams. After the Huskers tied the game at 7-7 on a 15-yard touchdown run by fullback Dodie Donnell, Kupec threw a 10-yard scoring pass to fullback Bob Loomis late in the half for a 14-7 North Carolina lead at intermission.

Carolina upped its lead to 17-7 late in the third quarter on a 47-yard field goal by Tom Biddle, and the Tar Heels appeared to have the game well in control until Garcia's heroics brought NU back.

1977 Liberty Bowl

Teams	1	2	3	4	Final
Nebraska	0	7	0	14	21
North Carolina	0	14	3	0	17

 

Statistics	NU	UNC
First Downs	21	17
Rushing, Net	206	169
Passes Att., Comp., Int.	17-14-0	13-8-0
Passing, Net	161	93
Total Offense	367	262

Scoring Summary
First Quarter
NC-Brooks Williams 12 pass from Matt Kupec (Tom Biddle kick), 13:52
NU-Dodie Donnell 15 run (Billy Todd kick), 11:00
NC-Bob Loomis 10 pass from Kupec (Biddle kick), 3:11

Third Quarter
NC-FG Biddle 47, 4:17

Fourth Quarter
NU-Curtis Craig 10 pass from Randy Garcia (Todd kick), 10:51
NU-Tim Smith 34 pass from Garcia (Todd kick), 3:16